Maersk unveils first methanol-powered ship to sail the Americas

A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) unveiled its fifth methanol-powered vessel at the Port of Los Angeles, California, during a naming ceremony. The 350-meter-long Alette Maersk, with a 16,000 TEU capacity, is the first of the company’s five dual-fuel container ships to operate in the Americas, crossing the Pacific Ocean using methanol as fuel. This move reinforces Maersk’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.

At the event, the major challenges faced by the maritime industry in its journey toward decarbonization were brought to evidence. While Maersk has set a goal of transporting 25% of its ocean-going cargo using low-emission fuels by 2030, reaching this target will require a systemic shift across the industry.

Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc stressed the need for urgent and coordinated global action, calling maritime industry leaders and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to endorse the Green Balance Mechanism, an initiative to promote sustainable shipping without significantly increasing global trade costs. “Our new series of dual-fuel vessels capable of running on methanol is a start, but we need immediate and coordinated action across all sectors to implement urgent regulations that make green fuels viable and affordable,” said Clerc.

Maersk noted that the shipping industry accounts for approximately 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions. A global fleet of about 100,000 ships consumes 300 million tonnes of fuel annually, resulting in 1.076 billion tonnes of CO₂ emissions each year.

Despite progress, the company emphasized that current state actions and energy efficiency improvements alone will not suffice to meet its ambitious net-zero target by 2040. Thus, a more robust collaborative framework, along with the implementation of new global and regional guidelines, is required.

Low-carbon methanol is seen as a crucial alternative to decarbonizing the sector. However, this fuel currently costs two to three times more than fossil fuels, and its global production remains limited.

The arrival of Alette Maersk marks a significant milestone and underscores the urgent need for all stakeholders to intensify their efforts to facilitate the transition to low-emission fuels. Maersk currently has 20 other methanol-capable vessels on order.

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